Bícnan

Old English Dictionary Entry

Bícnan

Old English Dictionary Entry

Part of speech: (-ian). Related words: l. ),

Definitions

1 bícnan

Add :-- I. to make a sign to a person (dat. or prep, tó) with something :-- Hé bícneð mid ðǽm eágum annuit oculis, Past. 357, 20. Hé bícnode hire tó mid his cynegyrde, Hml. A. 97, 180. þ á becnade Sanctus Petrus him, 162, 239. Hí bécnodon eágan (mid eágum, Ps. Spl. 34, 22. Ðæt hé bícne (biécne, ) mid ðǽm eágum, Past. 359, 3. II. to summon by a sign :-- Hé bícnode gehwanon mid bláwunge him fultum he summoned help to himself from all sides by the blowing of trumpets, Hml. S. 25, 635. Hig bícnodon hyra gefér-an, ꝥ hí cómun and him fylston they signalled their companions to come and help them, Lk. 5, 7. III. to shew by a sign, signify, indicate, portend :-- Iste ys æteowendlic and ðár bið, þár man swá bícnað be him, Eifc. Gr. Z. 93, 9. Saegeð l bécneð indicat, Lk. p. 3, 11. Bécnade l cýdde notans, 7, 11 : significans, Jn. L. 12, 33. Swylce man bycnige him, ꝥ him sélre wǽre ꝥ hý wunodon on clǽnnysse as if to signify to them, that it were better for them to live in chastity, Ll. Th. ii. 346, 20. Bécnende portendentes, Wrt. Voc. ii. 66, 11. Bécnendo significantia, Rtl. 103, 28. in Dict. [O. H. Ger. pouhnen.]

Runic Inscription

ᛒᛁᚳᚾᚪᚾ

Possible runic inscription in Anglo-Saxon futhorc

About

Old English Dictionary project aims to provide a comprehensive searchable dictionary for Old English (Anglo-Saxon).

It includes abbreviations, works & authors, and authentic runic inscriptions.

Support

Quick Links

Copyright © 2025 Old English Dictionary
"Fornjóts synir eru á landi komnir"